3 comments:

The T-Tail Arrow IV has a trait of suddenly running out of energy and elevator authority if you neglect to hold the recommended airspeed on final. Most airplanes give you a little hint that you're on thin ice, but this plane doesn't hint much, if at all. The Tomahawk also exhibits this trait.

@davyel123, The aircraft in question did not have a T-tail. As far as the PA38, it gives plenty of warning that the airspeed is too low, in the form of a stall warning and airframe buffeting. The key is to simply fly the airplane.

Perhaps, but Arrow model stabilators share that trait. The Tomahawk lulls you into thinking you've got flare authority, then you suddenly (Belatedly) realize you're in the last two inches of yoke travel, and you only have power to cushion the sink. One landing I made at the Rio Linda, CA Airport (Please, no Limbaugh Jokes..) with a Traumahawk registered on the Richter Scale.